Gripen was not designed to be highly sovereign and independent in its supply chain. That was never a particular priority for it. If people are talking Gripen its because its cheap to acquire, cheap to operate, it contains US technologies, but those technologies are not particularly sensitive. Brazil, Thailand (who also has F-16), Czech (F-35 ordered and armed trainers), Hungary, South Africa, these countries are looking for a solution that meets their need of a cheaper western fighter often as a second type of fighter. Their needs aren't ultra high end, many have another platform for that.
The French Rafale is more legitimate, mostly because France, Frances view of its own capabilities and France wants to independently sell that platform and not have any significant US interference on that front, and sell as a direct competitor with US platforms.
Egypt, Qatar, India AF, India Navy, Greece, Croatia, Indonesia, UAE etc.. Often while they also operate other fighters, the Rafale tends to be the high end mix of that.
If Canada is serious, then it should look at perhaps an additional buy of a different aircraft and reduction of F-35 acquisition. Realistically it is too late to cancel its F-35 program completely, but it could be curtailed. It could vet the Rafale acquisition on what that would look like, production avalibility, etc. For other reasons, it may be interested in joining future European aircraft platform development.
